WebP is a popular image format that is widely used for its high-quality compression and small file size. However, like any other file type, WebP images can be accidentally deleted, leading to data loss. Fortunately, there are methods to recover deleted WebP images from a Mac. In this article, we’ll provide a complete guide to recovering WebP images that have been deleted from your Mac.
Why WebP Images Get Deleted
Understanding the reasons behind WebP image deletion can help you prevent future data loss and ensure that your data is protected. Accidental deletion is one of the most common reasons why WebP images get deleted from a Mac. This can happen when you mistakenly delete the wrong file or folder, or when you delete files to free up disk space without realizing their importance. Formatting a drive is another common reason for data loss, as it erases all the data on the drive, including WebP images.
Operating system crashes can also lead to WebP image deletion. This can happen due to software bugs, hardware failures, or power outages that interrupt the file system. When this happens, the file system can become corrupted, making it impossible to access the data stored on the drive. Malware or virus infections can also cause WebP image deletion, as they can corrupt or delete files on your Mac, including WebP images.
To prevent WebP image deletion, it’s essential to adopt good data management practices, such as regular backups, anti-malware software, and careful file handling. By implementing these practices, you can minimize the risk of accidental deletion, protect your Mac from malware, and ensure that your WebP images and other data are always accessible when you need them.
How to Recover Deleted WebP Images on Mac :
Use Time Machine Backup
If you’ve set up Time Machine backup on your Mac, restoring deleted WebP images is relatively easy. Time Machine automatically takes regular backups of your Mac, including your personal files and documents.
To restore deleted WebP images, you need to open the Time Machine app, select the date and time when the images were still present, and click on the “Restore” button. Time Machine will restore the deleted images to their original location.
Check the Trash Folder
When you delete a file on your Mac, it’s moved to the Trash folder instead of being permanently deleted. The Trash folder contains all the deleted files, including WebP images, and can be easily accessed from the Dock.
To restore deleted WebP images from the Trash folder, open the folder, locate the images, and drag them to their original location or to any other folder of your choice.
Use a Data Recovery Software
If the above methods don’t work, you can use a data recovery software like Disk Drill to recover deleted WebP images. Disk Drill is a reliable and efficient data recovery tool that works on Macs.
After installing the software, select the drive where the deleted WebP images were stored and start the scan. Disk Drill will scan the drive and locate all the deleted files, including the WebP images.
Once the scan is complete, you can preview the deleted files and select the ones you want to recover. Choose a destination folder to save the recovered files, and Disk Drill will restore them to your Mac.
It’s important to note that data recovery software can’t guarantee 100% recovery of all the deleted files. If you’ve overwritten the space occupied by the deleted files or if the files have been corrupted, you may not be able to recover them.
Therefore, it’s always a good practice to regularly backup your files to an external hard drive or cloud storage and to use reliable anti-malware software to prevent data loss.
Use Data Recovery Services
If the above methods fail to recover your deleted WebP images, you can consider using data recovery services.
These are professional services that specialize in recovering lost or deleted data from various storage devices, including hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards. These services use specialized equipment and software to recover the lost data, including WebP images.
To use data recovery services, you’ll need to contact a reputable service provider and provide them with your affected drive or storage device. They’ll perform a diagnostic test on the device to determine the extent of the damage and provide you with a quote for the recovery process.
If you’re satisfied with the quote, they’ll begin the recovery process, which can take several days depending on the extent of the damage and the amount of data to be recovered.
Data recovery services can be expensive, and the success rate of data recovery is not always guaranteed. However, they can be a viable option if you need to recover critical data, including deleted WebP images. Before choosing a data recovery service, it’s essential to research and compare different providers, read reviews, and check their credentials to ensure you’re working with a reputable service provider.
Conclusion
WebP images are an essential part of the web development industry, and it’s important to ensure they are protected against accidental deletion or other forms of data loss. With Disk Drill, you can quickly and easily recover deleted WebP images from your Mac.
Remember to stop using the drive immediately after deletion, use reliable data recovery software, and backup your files regularly to avoid future data loss.